Through the message of Black Violin’s music, we’ve spent the last 10 years working to encourage and empower people of all ages, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to find what connects us, rather than shine a light on what divides us. This past year alone, we’ve played for nearly 100,000 students and over 125 public shows across the US and Europe. We’ve taken this opportunity to spread a message that challenges the world’s view of what it means to rise above labels, be daring enough to follow their passion and most of all, be true to themselves. As black men living in America, we understand challenges and we also understand the power of “I can’t”, yet we decide to live by and promote the power of “I can”. We realize that every opportunity to connect our diverse fans is an opportunity to break down the barriers that separate us, empower individuality and encourage progress. Today, we are announcing our fall 2016 UNITY tour with concert dates throughout the US for our most energetic and inspired shows yet. #BLACKVIOLINUNITY

Black Violin’s newest music video, featuring their song Magic, has been released on Vevo. The video was shot earlier this year at a sold out show at Carolina Theatre in Durham, NC with 2,000 people in attendance.

It’s bittersweet to announce our European tour after such a tragic attack in Brussels but we can’t let terror damper our excitement for our first tour overseas. This just makes us want to play even stronger and harder. Some may use these attacks as a way to insight fear of others not like themselves but let’s remember to not judge people based on race or religion. Everyone is a unique individual and we need to keep breaking down stereotypes. Can’t wait to play our hearts out for Europe in May.

Kevin Sylvester says that when most people see a 6-foot-2-inch, 260-pound black man, they don’t expect him to also be a classically trained violinist. A recent exchange with a woman in an elevator, when he happened to have his instrument with him in its case, drove that point home.

“She’s like, ‘What do you play?’ ” he recalls. “I’m like, ‘I’m a violinist.’ And she was like, ‘Well, obviously you don’t play classical, so what kind of style do you play?’ ”

Sylvester says he explained that while he does have a degree in classical music, he plays all kinds of styles. “She didn’t mean it maliciously,” he says, “but I hope she gets to see us in concert and we can change her perception.”

Moments like this inspired Sylvester and his partner, violist Wilner Baptiste, to call their new album Stereotypes. It’s the latest release by their duo Black Violin, whose seeds were planted years ago when the two met as high school students in Florida.